KEILIR
the Pyramid Mountain
Keilir is a beautiful, pyramid-shaped mountain clearly visible from
Reykjavík on a clear day. It is not very high, a mere 379 m above sea-level. From a certain point of view on
the road between Keflavik and Reykjavík, it looks just like the Cheops pyramid in Egypt, or so they say.
Leave Reykjavík following the road to Keflavik and take the turn where
the sign points to Keilir. Follow the road through fields of mossy lava (if it is winter, there wont be any
moss) until you reach a parking lot and a big sign featuring a detailed map of the area. Follow the path west
of the small mountain Oddafell, and take the turn across the lava field towards Keilir. The distance from the
parking lot to the base of the mountain is about 3 km. Once you reach the mountain, you follow the trail
towards the top. It is rather easy-going to start with, but as you go on the path becomes quite steep at
times. It takes about 2 1/2 hours to reach the top.
The view from the top is gorgeous, but the wind blows and you dont want
to linger too long. You see the steam from the Blue Lagoon, not too far off. The other site of the Reykjanes peninsula is also worth a visit. Be sure to write your name in the guest-book youll find safely tucked away, and be
careful on your way down.
We feel more at ease climbing Keilir when the earth is frozen, as the
rubble is less slippery in the steep stretches than in dry, warm weather, or when it is raining and muddy. The
view from the top is gorgeous on a clear, frosty day.
Go Back to Nature!
|
